BTRDA History

It was 1938, and a band of triallists met up on the way home from an event in the Cotswolds.

The story goes that they were discussing the variance of quality in events, and so there and then the British Trial Drivers Association (BTDA) was formed.

Their ideal was to encourage a high standard of organisation, and to assist clubs to do so. The result was a BTDA Championship comprising the best club events in the UK, with a Championship to attract competitors and produce a worthy winner.

In those early years the only Championship was for Sporting Trials, but in the 1960's Production Car Trials (now Car Trials) and Driving Tests (now Autotests) were added. The now famous Gold Star Rally Championship had been running for some years, and this joined the party, making the BTDA become the BTRDA - British Trial and Rally Drivers Association.

Rallycross and Allrounders Championships were added in the 70's and 80's, together with a variety of Junior challenges, and the latest venture into AutoSolo with a Championship and a Challenge for newcomers to motor sport.

One of the original founding members was the late Denis Flather, a wonderful character and one of only 4 Presidents since 1938. His ideal of enthusiasts promoting the best Championships for the best competitors lives on. The current President, Mike Broad, promotes the BTRDA as "serious fun".

Rallycross History - "The Early Days"

The new sport of Rallycross arrived in the BTRDA during 1975/76. A few members had competed in a series of this new sport organised by West Suffolk Car Club and The Sporting Car Club of Norfolk, at Snetterton. Rallycross was approved by the RAC and following this BTRDA Council asked the then General Secretary Derek Smith to form a committee. Our Championship attracted full financial and publicity support from Castrol Ltd. Of that original Committee Bruce Bamber returned in 2009 in a Honda Civic. Dave Fuell presented a trophy for the Champion,

The sport was televised and screened on BBC, ITV and on the continent and has continued to the present day with "LIVE" TV coverage on Motors TV. Good names of the day were Roger Clark, Barry Lee, “Jumping” Jeff Williamson, Geoff Mabbs (after whom Mabb’s Bank at Lydden was named), Jenson Button’s dad, John, and in more recent times Andrew Jordan (a Junior Rallycross Champion now in Touring Cars). Another driver to hit the top is Liam Doran the X Games champion and ERC regular.The sport continued and grew in popularity.

Our first Champion in 1977 was Trevor Reeves - Mini, his engine built by Motospeed, who also gave a Trophy. Three members achieved double Champion status:- Bruce Rushton, Bill Skermer and Mike Turpin (now in Hillclimbing) and our only Lady Champion was Shelley Wakeling in 2010. A list of all the Champions appears on www.btrda.com under BTRDA® History.

Early venues were Tockingham near Swindon, Cadwell, Brands, Longridge, Knockhill, Lydden, Aintree. and Long Marston. Later Croft, Pembrey, Mallory and Blyton were included. Some venues have ceased to be available for Rallycross, but new venues are currently under consideration with Clubs eager to retain a club level form of Rallycross and to provide an entry level at an affordable cost. Sponsors have included SpaxShocks, Autocross Racing, Safety Devices, JonSpeed Racing, Lucas Oils and Autosport International.

Of the current committee Bill Skermer (Champion 1985/6), Phil Darbyshire and Mike Sones have been involved since 1984, looking after a sport which, for BTRDA members, is just a hobby.